Aston Villa Lynchpin and World Cup Star Ron Vlaar 'Wanted by Lazio'

Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar has been linked with a move to Lazio as the Italian Serie A giants join a list of potential suitors including Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

Some of Europe's biggest clubs have become interested in Vlaar after the 29-year-old put in a series of outstanding World Cup performances for the Netherlands.

The center-back has been monitored by a number of Premier League clubs looking to strengthen their back-line ahead of the new campaign, including United, whose boss Louis Van Gaal managed to get the best out of Vlaar in Brazil.

Spurs have also been weighing up a potential move for Vlaar as Mauricio Pochettino looks to make an impression in his first season at White Hart Lane since leaving Southampton.

The Saints are another club that have reportedly identified Vlaar as a replacement for Dejan Lovren, who along with Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana departed for Liverpool.

But according to reports in Italy, Lazio have now entered the race to sign the defender, who played a decisive role in keeping Paul Lambert's Villains in the Premier League last season.

Vlaar had seemed to put rumours of a move to bed when he told Dutch football magazine Helden that he had not considered a move away from Villa Park.

"I still have one year left and I understand absolutely Villa don't want to let me go," he said.

"(In) the previous weeks I haven't even thought about a possible transfer. The only thing I did was enjoying my holiday and didn't even think about football.

"Soon I will meet my agent and discuss the various options."

Meanwhile, Lambert and assistant Roy Keane watched as a second string Villa were defeat 3-1 by Chesterfield in the side's first friendly on home soil since touring America.